what are the top 10 non-metal albums you would recommend?

For someone who is looking to explore different pastures of the non-metal variety, what 10 albums would you recommend?

I have a local friend who is a die-hard metalhead. All his life he has liked nothing but metal, with the exception of some 70s hard rock (Led Zeppelin, Rush, etc). Of course, to me that 70s stuff is metal as well lol.

Anyway, he said he'd like to start getting into other genres as a break from 100% metal all the time. I recommended him these. What would your recommendations be? Remember - no metal. But you can include hard genres (like industrial for example).


1. Erasure - Chorus



Easily one of the best albums in my collection. This album has been the soundtrack to many a themes in my life. Lots of memories. These songs are built on solid and strong hooks! It just doesn't get much better than this in the pop world.


2. Depeche Mode - Violator



This is Depeche Mode's 7th album and they hit a certain 'gold streak' with this one. Lots of incredible song-writing here.


3. Xymox - Twist of Shadows



Another synthpop masterpiece, much like the first two albums I mentioned. This one holds a very special place in my heart and collection. Lots of excellent mind candy here.


4. Switchblade Symphony - Serpentine Gallery



This is probably my favorite goth/industrial album ever made. If you are looking to explore the goth/industrial genre, this is the place to start. It just doesn't get better than this.


5. The Sisters of Mercy - Floodland



This slice of gothic rock not only demonstrates a masterpiece, but also represents the 80s gothic movement as a whole. Essential.


6. KMFDM - Money



Though this one brims of metal (because of distorted guitars), it's really an industrial rock masterpiece.


7. Ministry - The Land of Rape and Honey



This is always one of the first industrial albums I recommend to anyone looking to explore the genre. Don't make the mistake of confusing Ministry the 90s and 00s industrial metal band for the 80s Ministry. In the 80s Ministry was actually a synthpop band who morphed into an industrial rock band. They didn't even add any metal until their 4rth album.


8. Enya - Watermark



The best ambient / new age album ever released IMO. If you like to relax and just surround yourself with peace, this album should be in your collection.


9. U2 - Achtung Baby



Though most will cite "The Joshua Tree" as U2's best album - I'd beg to differ. Although I love TJT, "Achtung Baby" just has a special touch for me.


10. The Cure - Wish



Dreamy, gothic, catchy, wonderful. These are all words that describe this album.



Anyway - that's my top 10. What would yours look like? I'll relay the recommendations to my friend. Thanks in advance for participating guys.


Here are a few more albums I'd recommend, but didn't quite break into the 'top 10'.


Peter Murphy - Holy Smoke
Peter Murphy - Cascade
REM - Out of Time
The Cure - Disintegration
U2 - The Joshua Tree
Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel
Depeche Mode - Black Celebration
Ministry - Twitch
Ministry - The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste
Nitzer Ebb - That Total Age
Tegan and Sarah - Sainthood
Dead by Sunrise - Out of Ashes

Metallic Blaze wrote:

For someone who is looking to explore different pastures of the non-metal variety, what 10 albums would you recommend?

I have a local friend who is a die-hard metalhead. All his life he has liked nothing but metal, with the exception of some 70s hard rock (Led Zeppelin, Rush, etc). Of course, to me that 70s stuff is metal as well lol.

Anyway, he said he'd like to start getting into other genres as a break from 100% metal all the time. I recommended him these. What would your recommendations be? Remember - no metal. But you can include hard genres (like industrial for example).



[b]8. Enya - Watermark



The best ambient / new age album ever released IMO. If you like to relax and just surround yourself with peace, this album should be in your collection.


9. U2 - Achtung Baby



Though most will cite "The Joshua Tree" as U2's best album - I'd beg to differ. Although I love TJT, "Achtung Baby" just has a special touch for me.


10. The Cure - Wish



Dreamy, gothic, catchy, wonderful. These are all words that describe this album.



Anyway - that's my top 10. What would yours look like? I'll relay the recommendations to my friend. Thanks in advance for participating guys.


Hes

GREAT albums!!!!! Especially WISH - that album RULES!!!!

Waitaminnit, waitaminnit -- you mean there are such things as "non-metal" albums?

Fat Freddy wrote:

Waitaminnit, waitaminnit -- you mean there are such things as "non-metal" albums?

Hate to burst your metallic bubble but yes

Good call on U2 MB, Spin Magainze rates that #1 best album in the last 25 years



Some of mine

Metric- Fantasies
The Violet Burning- Demonstrates Plastics & Elastic
The Violet Burning- Drop Dead
Garbage- Version 2.0
Foo Fighters- ST
Stone Temple Pilots- Core
Stone Temple Pilots- Tiny Music Gifts from the Vatican Gift Shop
Scott Weiland-12 Bar Blues
She Wants Revenge- ST
Depeche Mode- Violator
Jupiter VI- Back From Mars
Sombrance- Eli
Them Crooked Vultures- ST
Kings of Leon- Only by the Night
The Doors- ST
Hole- Celebrity Skin
Soul Coughing- Ruby Vrooom
Gravity Show- Fabulous Like You

Sorry its more than 10

Addy wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

Waitaminnit, waitaminnit -- you mean there are such things as "non-metal" albums?

Hate to burst your metallic bubble but yes

Not on Planet Freddy there ain't.

Thats not even throwing in David Bowie or The Smashing Pumpkins

Fat Freddy wrote:

Addy wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

Waitaminnit, waitaminnit -- you mean there are such things as "non-metal" albums?

Hate to burst your metallic bubble but yes

Not on Planet Freddy there ain't.

On Planet Addy Metal is a minority

U2 - War

Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

Billy Idol - s/t

Billy Idol - Rebel Yell

David Bowie - Let's Dance

The Clash - London Calling

Depeche Mode - Violator

Tears for Fears - Best of...

Pat Benatar - Best of...

ZZ Top - Eliminator

Good calls with Hatchet and "The Melting Face" album.

tohostudios wrote:

Two of my favorite albums right there!!!




I need to explore some of those others too.

Addy wrote:

She Wants Revenge- ST
Depeche Mode- Violator

Fat Freddy wrote:

Addy wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

Waitaminnit, waitaminnit -- you mean there are such things as "non-metal" albums?

Hate to burst your metallic bubble but yes

Not on Planet Freddy there ain't.

I like a good mix.

I can't listen to 'just metal' anymore than I could eat 'just steak' without mashed potatoes.

I need some sides to appreciate my main course more.

Troublezone wrote:

U2 - War

That's a VERY good album dude!

But again, I like all of U2's albums.

Way too many to list, I like R.E.M, The Rolling Stones, 10,000 Maniacs and like 1000 other bands from so many different genres

manny wrote:

Way too many to list, I like R.E.M, The Rolling Stones, 10,000 Maniacs and like 1000 other bands from so many different genres

Can't come up with a top 10?

Metallic Blaze wrote:

I like a good mix.

I can't listen to 'just metal' anymore than I could eat 'just steak' without mashed potatoes.

I need some sides to appreciate my main course more.

Yea, well, what can I say, I'm a narrow minded prick.

Nah, but seriously, I don't mind other genres, but I really don't go out of my way much to buy CDs outside of hard rock, metal, and/or punk rock. (I think the only non-rock CDs I own are two volumes of music from "The Simpsons," and the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" soundtrack.)

My wife listens to country and classic rock, my parents listened to damn near everything under the sun when I was growing up (country, Elvis, doo-wop, 60s surf rock, etc.), and I have a soft spot for '80s pop and one hit wonders. So I have a decent working knowledge of certain genres outside of metal but I don't collect any of it.

Don't listen to FF, he is a old school punk fan, he just did not want to list ten Ramones albums in this thread.

1 Spock's Beard - Beware Of Darkness
2 Yes - Close To The Edge
3 Mahavishnu Orchestra - Birds Of Fire
4 Al DiMeola - Elegant Gypsy
5 Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries
6 Kansas - Two For The Show
7 Jellyfish - Bellybutton
8 Level 42 - True Colours
9 Genesis - A Trick Of The Tail
10 Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee

Metallic Blaze wrote:

manny wrote:

Way too many to list, I like R.E.M, The Rolling Stones, 10,000 Maniacs and like 1000 other bands from so many different genres

Can't come up with a top 10?

No because it is almost impossible, do I leave out the Stones, The Doors, blues, jazz etc

extra:

I like that Live album. Last one by them I can stand.

The Mars Volta excellent CD, as his the King Crimson, Live, and Sisters of Mercy.

IMO you can never go wrong with Miles Davis